Young Carers Program

Growing up in a family with mental health issues can be challenging and at times isolating. Often times, such responsibilities place on individuals from childhood transition into adulthood. Family members grow up to be care givers to siblings, parents and partners. Feelings of isolation, excess stress from additional responsibilities can lead to our own mental health challenges. At FAME, we home to prevent, support and empower young carers to tap into the resilience by creating a community of shared experience.

FAME's Toronto Office is excited to restart our Young Carers Program this September 16th.
Carers between 18-25 years are welcome to attend the group.

Our program aims to educate, empower and promote connection for a group of people whose experiences often go unheard from. 

September 16th at 6:30pm 

Sherbourne Health Centre (333 Sherbourne St) 

Room 2008, 2nd floor

Making Mental Health Mobile

Starting the year off right, CMHA York region & South Simcoe branch CEO, Rebecca Shields, announced the operation of the MOBYSS. MOBYSS (pronounced mo-bies) is the provinces' first mobile health service for youth (12-25). MOBYSS is a partnership across the Simcoe & York region providing in community health care to young people in Ontario.  Check out the article here at:

http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/5242663-newsmaker-group-brings-mobile-health-unit-to-youth-in-need/

Positive Dialogue for Supporting Recovery

      Speaking about the issues affecting our families can be challenging and at times leave us at a loss for words. Not knowing what to say can be confused with not caring and so we stay silent.  Like many other challenges to our loved ones, supporting an individual with an eating disorder (whether it be Anorexia, Bulimia or an EDONS) can leave us unsure of what to say. Unsure of when and what is appropriate to talk about can further the tensions we feel in the family.

In the following article, blogger Anna Rose speaks personally about suggestible phrases and templates of discussion to help ease into talking about the challenges felt by those living with an eating disorder. Though the article is specific to Eating Disorders, we can transfer these approaches to our own experience with supporting a loved one.

http://annarosemeeds.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/ten-things-to-say-to-someone-with-anorexia/

1. I love seeing your smile/your eyes light up/your sense of style/etc. Compliment something other than weight. There are so many beautiful traits that each person has. Finding a few that do not include words like “thin” should not be too difficult.
2. You are beautiful and worthy of love no matter what you weight is, was, or will be. This affirms the person and shows that weight is not what is the most important aspect of a human. There are more important qualities.
3. Would you like me to eat with you? Beware that the answer to this might be “No!” However, this simple action can mean so much. I realized that barely anyone has eaten with me at school. It is so lonely always eating alone. 
4. I have a granola bar/apple/glass of water/etc. You do not need to take it, but I would love to give it to you. Without pressuring someone into eating, you are showing how much you care about his or her well-being. Once again, the answer might be “no,” but the thought will not be forgotten.
5. It means so much that you went out to eat with us/had dessert with me/ate pizza with our friends/ect. Affirm times when your loved one eats scary food or in frightening situations. Show how that impacted others (including yourself) in a positive manner. 
6. It will be alright if you eat that cheese/trail mix/banana/cupcake. Your body knows what to do with it. Said in a compassionate manner, this can be so helpful. Be careful not to sound preachy or exasperated. Instead, just state the facts that the body knows how the process the food while sympathetically acknowledging that it is frightening.
7. How are things going lately? Do you want to talk? Simply being willing to listen without judging means so much. Hearing how someone with anorexia thinks might be painful. Actually listening without berating their eating disordered thoughts can be a huge blessing to them.
8. You are so strong. I believe that you will get through this. “Stay strong” is a common phrase said by people fighting for recovery. It might seem cliche, but it still is helpful as is your support.
9. Did that trigger you? When you say something that you realize could have been hurtful or upsetting, admit it. Instead of hoping that your friend or family member did not understand, ask the question and apologize if necessary. Everyone is triggered by different things.
10. I don’t understand that or how to help you. Tell me more. One of the most helpful things that you can do is just admit that you do not know what to do. Simply listening will teach you a great deal.

Hi, I'm Karen! I am the current student intern here at FAME and am very excited for all of the work that I have the opportunity to be involved in here until April. As my first blog post, I thought I would share what I have been up to!

Tuesday marked the first session of the CAMH Strengthening Families for the Future program offered through The Jean Tweed Centre, and it was wonderful!

            SFF is a 14-week family program for children ages 7-12 and their parent(s). This program is designed for families where one or more members have a mental health and/or addiction issue.  The program helps with parenting skills, effective communication, and improving the family dynamic.

Meeting once a week for 3 hours, the program is broken down into four sections.  During the first hour, participants and staff all sit down for dinner together where we share stories, bond, and provide encouragement. Following dinner, the children and parents part into separate rooms where programming takes place: teaching skills for positive communication, relationship building, and appropriate methods for sharing feelings.  Finally, during the third hour, everyone comes together for a family group session where the skills from the previous weeks are reviewed and discussed (example: what worked well with implementation in the home, and what did not), and skills introduced that day can be actively practiced by all members, with any struggles being worked through as a whole family.

            I am excited for the next 13 weeks to witness both individual and familial growth, and to also grow in my own learning experiences.

            I find it important to highlight this new affiliation with The Jean Tweed Centre, as building the bond and cohesion within the community through positive relationships creates a much-needed sense of continuity. Developing partnerships and a true collaboration in the community (schools, families, agencies, hospitals, etc.) aids in the support that we can provide to our clients, and meeting their needs.

Resource for Anyone Affected by Schizophrenia

This website has helpful resources, information and interactive tools for families and others affected by schizophrenia. There is also a short video clip about schizophrenia that may be helpful for children and youth to understand about symptoms and treatment.

Video about "When a Parent has a Mental Illness..."

This is a YouTube video clip about children's experiences of having a parent with a mental illness. They touch on key experiences of being young carers, children not getting an explanation of their parent's mental illness that they could understand, and common feelings children experience. The video also talks about similar topics that are covered in the FAMEkids program.

Music Video for Kids Who Have a Parent with Mental Illness

This music video has great messages for children including letting them know they are not alone in their experience and it is not their fault. Often times children realize for the first time when they come to the FAMEkids group that there are other children in similar situations. This video has a lot of other positive messages like the importance of kids being kids, and living life to the fullest. Have a listen and consider sharing with others!